Element for fixing plates

ABSTRACT

An element for fixing or a fastener for plates, particularly for sheets of glass, which includes an elongate pivot to be fixed to a framework and which has a free end and a hollow housing the free end in a moveable way. Tilting movements of the longitudinal axis of the pivot in the hollow housing are possible. The free end of the pivot is introduced with limitable axial mobility into a bore of an articulation element pivotably supporting the pivot in the hollow housing. The articulation element may be in the form of a ball and of an elastic sleeve element.

The invention relates to a element for fixing plates (or a fastener),particularly for sheets of glass, which comprises an elongate pivot tobe fixed to a framework and which has a free end and a hollow housinghousing this free end in a moveable way, in which fastener anarticulation element which pivotably supports the pivot in the hollowhousing allows tilting movements of the longitudinal axis of the pivotin the hollow housing.

To attach rigid plates, for example plates of glass, to fixedframeworks, such as the facades of buildings for example, it isgenerally known practice for these plates to be hung from individualpoints using fasteners (also known as “point attachments”), which offervarious degrees of freedom of movement in rotation and in translation.The degrees of freedom in rotation are mainly achieved by means of balljoints, while the degrees of freedom in translation are provided byfloating bearings. Thus, the plates may bend elastically slightly, onthe one hand, under the effect of the loads applied, for example, theforce of the wind, and, on the other hand, in particular, differentthermal expansions of the plates and of the framework can be compensatedfor practically without load.

DE-A1-197 49 634 describes a fastener in which the free end of a pivothoused moveably in a hollow housing consists directly of a ball and thusallows tipping movements of the longitudinal axis of the pivot. Thehollow housing itself is essentially in the form of a hollow cylinderand therefore also allows the pivot to move in the axial direction,compressing springs arranged on each side of the sphere portion in theaxial direction limiting this axial mobility. The part of a plate fixedto a framework by means of this fastener can not only experience tiltingor curving movements but also deflections normal to the surface of theplate. A definite disadvantage with this construction is that thespherical surface of the end of the pivot slides directly on the wallsof the hollow accommodating housing.

DE-A1-198 00 614 describes another fastener, which comprises a hollowspherical element arranged pivotably in a hollow accommodating housing.At the middle of this housing is the free end of a pivot mounted withradial play. This configuration makes it possible to compensate fordimensional variations between the position of the pivot in the platethat is to be fastened and the corresponding accommodating part in theframework. A possibility of axial translation of this free end in themounted situation is not, however, envisaged here, because the free endof the pivot is screwed securely to the spherical articulation (balljoint) after radial positioning.

DE-A1-197 13 678 also discloses a fastener with a pivot and a hollowhousing to be installed in bores in sheets of glass. Here too, there iscompensation for tolerances in the direction orthogonal to thelongitudinal axis of the pivot. Two elastomeric rings surrounding thepivot inside the hollow housing limit the mobility of the pivot in theaxial direction. Admittedly, mobility of the pivot purely in translationis shown, but rendered possible only by compressing an elastomeric ringaround its entire perimeter.

EP-B1-0 655 543 discloses a fastener that can be applied in the case ofplates, particularly plates of glass, in which a combination of a hollowbucket-shaped housing with a head like that of a piston at the free endof a pivot replaces a ball joint articulation. The hollow housing is ina fitting fixed to the associated plate, while the pivot is attachedfixedly—or with the aforementioned degrees of freedom in translation—tothe framework. The head like that of a piston is produced with anapproximately spherical lateral surface, is surrounded by the hollowhousing with a small amount of radial play. In the axial direction ofthe pivot, it is flanked on both sides by intermediate elastic layerswhich, through compression, allow, on the one hand, very small axialmovements but, above all, allow movements in pivoting between the hollowhousing and the head or pivot respectively. This possibility of pivotingin space about the center of the head affords the degrees of freedom inrotation needed for the fastened plates to curve in any way.

EP-A1-0 863 287 discloses an alternative form of the aforementionedfastener, in which the head like that of a piston is provided, on itslargest perimeter, with a plastic ring which is supposed to minimize theradial play in the hollow housing and the friction and wear between thelateral surface of the head and the interior surface of the hollowhousing. For the remainder, this construction is practically identicalto the earlier embodiment.

EP-A1-0 784 129 also describes a fastener for plates, particularly forplates of glass, which is supposed to allow angles to be establishedbetween the plate that is to be held and the framework. To this end, theshank of the fastener emerging from the plate is split into two in thelengthwise direction, while a threaded tenon runs longitudinally throughthe two parts. The two parts of the shank have end faces of hollowspherical shape. These each collaborate with a washer which, on oneside, has a spherical shape with a radius suited to the hollow sphericalend faces and the other side of which is flat. The parts of the shankwith the corresponding washers are placed one on each side of a supportelement of the framework, which element is provided with a bore for thepassage of the threaded tenon. By means of the latter, the parts of theshank with the washers—through which the threaded tenon passes withsufficient radial play—are joined together by screwing. Thus, the flatsides of the washers are clamped against the two flat surfaces of thesupport element arranged so that they are opposite. In the bore thereof,the threaded tenon also has a relatively large amount of radial play, soas to be able to be adjusted radially therein during mounting. Dependingon the force of the pre-tightening, it is also possible at this point totake up the movements of compensation by translation. At the same time,the corresponding spherical shell portions make it possible, duringmounting, to angularly adjust the axis of the fastener with respect tothe support element. The fasteners provided with this possibility ofadjustment are used mainly for hanging rigid plane plates (of glass)from walls which exhibit curvatures or breaks.

The object of the invention is to improve a fastener of this kind stillfurther.

According to the invention, this objective is achieved with thecharacteristics of the independent claims 1, 2 and 11. Thecharacteristics of the claims dependent on the respective independentclaims disclose advantageous developments of these subjects. Secondaryclaims deal with panes provided with such fasteners and their use in theglazing of buildings.

The axial mobility of the free end of the pivot, which can be limited,is produced in a first alternative form according to the invention bythe fact that a hole (bore) in a pivotably mounted spherical element isprovided by way of hollow accommodating housing, in which hole the pivotcan slide axially.

In a second alternative form according to the invention, an element inthe form of a sleeve with at least one elastically deformable componentand an internal sleeve in the aperture of which the free end of thepivot can be moved axially and can be guided in pivoting by virtue ofthe elastic deformation of said component is provided.

In yet another alternative form of the invention, an element in the formof a sleeve with at least one elastically deformable component to whichthe free end of the pivot is securely attached so that it can be guidedin pivoting by virtue of the elastic deformation of said component isprovided.

In a preferred embodiment of this alternative form, the elastic elementis able to shear enough to allow the pivot limited axial mobility insidethe fastener.

As a preference, in the alternative forms, the radial play for theradial guidance of the pivot is adjusted to the smallest possible value.It will be noted that “play as small as possible” or “minimal play” isused here in place of the common expression “without play” because,strictly speaking, parts assembled without play are not able to move onewith respect to the other. In any event, it is necessary to avoidphenomena of wear, knocking noises and the like caused by excessiveplay, and seizure and wear phenomena caused by insufficient play.

The bore in the articulation element, housing the end of the pivot, maybe produced in the form of a blind hole or of a through-hole. The axialmobility between the pivot and the hollow housing may be limited, forexample by elastic interlayers or sprung elements.

The head like that of a piston (generally in the form of a thickening orincreased thickness) provided in the state of the art at the end of thepivot could here be formed directly by the articulation elementsurrounding the end of the pivot, it being possible for axial mobilityto be provided between this head and the pivot itself. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the pivot may, as before, be provided with a fixedhead or terminal additional thickness which may be slideably supported,in the manner of a piston, in the bore of the articulation element, itnot being possible for the latter to become jammed in its guide with aminimum amount of radial play. If the lateral surface of this head isproduced so that it is cylindrical, the radial forces are distributedover a larger area by comparison with the state of the art which havespherical heads. This results in a lower surface pressure and in areduction in wear.

As a preference, the articulation element is formed of a ball, or of aportion of a ball, pierced or provided with a blind hole. By way ofarticulation element it is, however, also possible to use a sleeve or abushing that pivots and slides axially inside the hollow housing,embedded in elastically deformable bodies, for example blocks of rubberor of plastic.

The articulation element may be made easier to fit if the part of thefitting that forms the hollow housing is split. It is, however, just aspossible for a spherical element to be wedged pivotably but nonslideablyin the hollow housing in a way known per se using a snap ring or thelike.

Starting out from a neutral or mean position, the pivot has to be ableto experience angular variations reaching, in particular, 10° withrespect to the hollow housing. What is of essential importance then forthe one-use model, neglecting the sizing considerations associated withthe loading, is the space available in the radial direction on the sheetof glass and on the framework and the necessary thickness of the pivotand the necessary angles of pivoting in the fasteners.

Such an element, which allows the plate secured using it to deflect orcurve elastically with respect to surface loadings now also in adirection normal to the plane of the plate, can be used particularlyadvantageously as a support point at the center or on the surface oflarge plates. By using the fasteners in common use at the present time,which allow no or only a small deflection travel in the normaldirection, the plates are highly stressed in bending at such central orface-mounted support points, because flexing arises which is not in thesame direction on all sides of the respective support point. Thisloading scenario is particularly lowered by a fastener producedaccording to the invention. Resistive or internal return forces neededto counter such movements, which may lie in the region less than orequal to ±5 mm, can be guaranteed in a preferred embodiment, by sprungelements, the preload of which can be set or adjusted. In addition, itis possible to predetermine, by means of such sprung elements, a definedneutral position (zero or rest position) of the free end of the pivotwithin the hollow housing. In the case of an elastic sleeve element orof equivalent elastic articulation elements, the elastic resistances todeformation may also be used to set said neutral position.

Naturally, the fasteners proposed here are also able to be useduniversally, in addition to such specific application scenarios, for allthe other fastening points for which at least one support able to movein rotation is desired. They are thus suitable for use in a modularconstruction system based on unit elements.

Of course, it would theoretically be possible, with such fasteners, alsoto fasten multilayer laminated panes or glazing elements with spacingpieces (insulating glazing) right down to fire protection glazing andplates made of other materials such as ceramic, stone, plastic, metaletc. to frameworks with the desired degrees of freedom. It is alsopossible to conceive of manufacturing the fastener itself out ofhigh-strength non-metallic materials or composites.

Because the mobilities of the fastener are now separated into degrees offreedom in rotation and in axial translation, the wear on such a deviceis reduced to the inevitable minimum level. This also, by comparisonwith the relevant state of the art, results in many more possibilitiesfor optimizing the flexibility of the pivot in the axial direction.

Other details and advantages of the subject of the invention areillustrated by the drawing of two exemplary embodiments and by theirdetailed description which follows.

In these drawings, which constitutes schematic depictions in section,

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a fastener (or point attachment) forplates with a pivot pivoting and slightly movable in the axial directionand an articulation element in the form of a perforated ball; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a second form of embodiment in which the articulationelement is in the form of a metal-elastomer sleeve.

It needs to be emphasized from the outset that, in that which follows,the terms “outer” and, respectively, “on the outside” each time denotethe side of the fastener or, respectively, of the surroundingconstruction elements, which is generally free situated on the oppositeside to the framework, and that the terms “inner” and “on the inside”each time denote their side that faces towards the framework. Theframework may, for example, be arranged at a facade or an interior wallof a building, at a bridge or the like.

According to FIG. 1, a fastener 2 is fixed to a monolithic pane 1 in athrough-bore 3 of the pane 1. It comprises an external fitting part 4,which, in the mounted position, lies flush with the face facing towardsthe outside of the pane 1, and an internal fitting part 5 which isassembled with the external fitting part 4 in a separable ornon-separable way. Here is indicated the screw-fastening of these twoparts along a parting line. The external fitting part 4 bears via acountersunk conical head and a corresponding bearing ring made ofplastic against the pane 1 in the conical outer end region of the bore3. Starting from the other side of the pane 1 there is screwed onto theinternal fitting part 5, or onto its body provided with an externalscrew thread, a nut in the form of a washer 6, which bears against theinside of the pane 1—also with the insertion of a plastic washer. Theintermediate layers in the known way prevent direct contact between thematerial of the fastener, which is generally a metal, and the glass.

The method by which the fastener 2 is fastened to the plate or to thepane 1 is not, however, important here. The arrangement shown is merelyone nonlimiting example. Other alternative forms of embodiment aredescribed abundantly in the prior art. It will be mentioned inparticular that it is not absolutely essential to have a bore passingthrough the pane or through other plates that are to be fastened.

The two fitting parts 4 and 5 together form a hollow housing 7 separablealong the aforementioned parting line. An articulation element 8 in theform of a pierced (perforated) ball with a through-bore 9 is introducedinto this housing in such a way that it can pivot freely with as littleradial play as possible. In this embodiment, the center of pivotinglies, in a way known per se, inside the thickness of the pane 1 that isfastened with the fastener 2. Other arrangements of the center ofpivoting outside the pane 1 or even flush with its interior surface may,however, also be provided if need be; to do that, the configuration ofthe assembly of the fitting parts and possibly the way in which they aresecured to the pane needs simply to be altered.

Naturally there are other means of incorporating an articulation elementinto a hollow housing provided for that purpose and for securing itaxially there into; these need not be excluded here. The only thing ofimportance is the freedom of pivoting in the hollow housing of the pivotused in the articulation element.

To assemble the fastener 2 in addition to the pane 1 with a framework 10simply indicated here in chain line with a support portion, there is apivot 11 which extends through a hole in the support portion as far asthe hollow housing 7, and respectively into the bore 9 of thearticulation element 8. At its free end situated in this bore, the pivot11 carries a thickening (head) in the form of a piston 12. This head ishoused in the bore 9 so that it can slide without jamming with thesmallest possible amount of radial clearance (sliding fit). Whenchoosing the fit, it is necessary naturally to take account of thepossible thermal expansions and during the bearing of the articulationelement.

To determine a defined neutral or mean position and to limit the axialmobility of the additional thickness 12 inside the bore 9, pressuresprings are provided on both sides of the head 12. The outer spring 13bears in the radial direction on, on the one hand, the outer front faceof the head 12 and, on the other hand, in the external fitting part 4 onthe inner end of the hollow housing 7. It may be possible to provideappropriate means for centering the outer spring 13 with respect to thecentral axis of the fastener, although these are not depicted here.

The inner spring 14 surrounds the shank of the pivot 11 with a largeamount of radial play. It bears axially on the one hand against theinner front face of the head 12 and, on the other hand, against anannular shoulder 15 provided in the inner fitting part. The latter may,for example, be produced, as depicted here, dismantably in the form of asnap ring inserted in a groove in part of the inner fitting 5, if such asolution is capable in complete safety of reacting all the forcesexerted in the axial direction. Of course, other solutions relating toconstructional details are also possible here, without altering theprinciple of the head in the articulation element and the fixing of itsaxially moveable position. Thus, instead of the helical pressure springsdepicted here, it is also possible to use other appropriate elasticelements, for example elements made of flexible rubber or plasticsmaterials, to define the neutral position of the additional thickness inthe bore.

The elasticities, or spring stiffnesses, available may also be obtainedby using springs of different hardness. It is also possible to envisagemodifying the preload of the press springs as needed after they havebeen mounted, using adjusting means, for example adjusting screws in thefastener itself. Such a solution would, however, be more costly than theoutline depiction shown here. In an extreme case, the hardness of thesprings may, if necessary, be set to be so high that only very smallmovements of axial deflection are possible and a practically fixed axialsupport is then produced. The fundamental axial mobility of the elementis no longer, however, assured in such a case.

If, in an alternative which has not been depicted, the bore made in thearticulation element has to be a blind hole, then the outer spring 13may bear against the bottom of this hole. It is also possible to providein a through-bore a bearing shoulder against which the outer spring 13can also bear inside the articulation element.

The inner spring may also, in an alternative form of the depiction ofFIG. 1, bear inside the articulation element, if enough mounting spaceis present and if a bearing shoulder or the like is provided. In such adesign, the springs 13 and/or 14 should not be deformed elastically bymovements of pure pivoting of the fastener.

The fastener 2 described here may be completely pre-fitted onto the pane1. For example, the articulation element 8 and the outer spring 13 arefirst of all introduced into the outer fitting part 4. Next, the pivot11 with its increased-thickness head 12 is inserted into the bore 9 ofthe articulation element 8. The inner spring 14 is next placed on thehead 12. Finally, the internal fitting part 5 with the annular shoulder15, therefore in this instance the snap ring 16, is fitted and assembledon the outer fitting part, in this instance by screwing. Thus, on theone hand, the articulation element is immobilized in the hollow housingand preferably an appropriate combination of materials, a slidingcoating and/or lubrication for life ensure long-term mobility of freepivoting of the articulation element. On the other hand, the two springsare preloaded in the desired way and the pivot 11, now housed pivotablyand with axial sliding, protrudes outward. Finally, this assembly isinstalled from the outside into the bore 3 of the pane 1 and immobilizedat the same time as the interlayers, using the nut 6.

The outside diameter of the head and the inside diameters of the boresof the articulation element and of the internal fitting part can bematched in such a way that the pivot with its end additional thicknesscan be introduced into the bore of the articulation element or withdrawntherefrom before the snap ring is fitted or, respectively, after it hasbeen removed.

Before the fastener 2 is premounted, the pivot 11 is immobilized in itsaxial direction with respect to the framework 10 in the usual way,preferably dismantlably using appropriate screws. If need be, it is alsonecessary to provide it with degrees of freedom in translation radiallywith respect to the axis of the pivot and parallel to the plane of thesupport portion. The pivot 11 thus passes on to the framework 10 all theloads such as the weight and the forces due to the wind and expansionsof thermal origin, etc., which are transmitted by the pane 1 to thefastener 2. Other details of this framework are not depicted here. Inthis respect, and for more precise details regarding the connection andthe degrees of freedom in translation of the fastener for fixing to theframework, reference will be made once again to the substantial priorart in this field.

The fitting parts 4 and 5 of the fastener 2 assembled with pane 1 may inall cases pivot freely with respect to the pivot 11 by virtue of thearticulation element 8, that is to say that they are supported withdegrees of freedom in rotation. Usually, angles of pivoting of about 5°in all directions are considered. Thus, curvatures of the pane 1 canhere be reacted and compensated for without substantial resistive force.Furthermore, the axial mobility of the head 12 in the bore 9 and the twosprings 13 and 14 allow variations in the distance between the pane 1and the framework, which variations are finally limited in thisembodiment by the respective immobilizing length of the compressionsprings when fully compressed. The pivot and, respectively, its endadditional thickness may, in this construction, be pushed in axially inboth directions to greater or lesser depths within the fastener 2starting from a neutral position, against the action of elastic returnforces. In addition, the springs 13 and 14 may also exert return momentsagainst the oscillations of the articulation element 8 in the hollowhousing.

The main load on the fastener is the weight of the pane 1. In the normalmounted position, it acts perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis ofthe pivot. Between the cylindrical lateral surface of the head 12 andthe wall of the bore 9 in the spherical element, the small amount ofradial play guarantees surface contact such that the main load istransferred to the pivot by a relatively large area.

In the alternative form of the fastener which form is depicted in FIG.2, a sleeve element 16 is used by way of articulation element 8 in placeof the ball joint element, and this sleeve element is clamped betweenthe two fitting parts of the fastener. It is made up of a radially outerbushing 17, of a radially inner bushing 18 arranged concentrically withthe latter one and of an elastically deformable articulation ring 19which is arranged in the annular slot between the two bushings. Theconnection between the articulation ring and the bushings, which may bemade of metal or of non-metallic materials, has high strength, forexample on account of bonding or vulcanization.

Elements of this nature are known per se, for example, as dampers in thefield of motor vehicle chassis construction. The articulation ring maybe made of rubber or of appropriate elastomers, it being possible forits elastic stiffness to be adjusted within very broad limits to suitthe requirement through the choice of the materials and the geometricconfiguration. In the radial direction, these elements are, as a generalrule, very stiff, although the inner bushing is just as able to pivotwith respect to the central axis as it is to move in the axial directionwith respect to the outer bushing through elastic deformation of thearticulation ring.

The remainder of the structure of the fastener corresponds essentiallyto the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, which means that there is noneed to explain the individual parts again here. However, theconstruction is markedly more simple and the manufacture is thus moreeconomical because of the disappearance of the ball joint element. Thus,the outer bushing 18 may simply be clamped axially and radially withoutplay in the hollow housing between the two fitting parts 4 and 5 to bescrewed together. The annular shoulder 15 which acts as a support forthe inner spring 14 is here incorporated directly into the internalfitting part 5. It also immobilizes the sleeve element in the axialdirection via its outer bushing 18. Advantageously, the inside diameterof the shoulder 15 of the fitting part 5 is smaller than the outsidediameter of the head 12 of the piston, affording mechanical safety sothat the piston cannot leave the space 7. The inner bushing 19 isslightly shorter in the axial direction than the outer bushing 18. Itsinner lateral surface forms the bore of the articulation element, inwhich the end additional thickness 12 of the pivot 11 is housed with aslittle radial play as possible, although it can still slide axially.Here again, it is appropriate once more to take appropriate steps toensure the smoothness of the sliding movement.

In an alternative form, the articulation ring could be fixed directly tothe outer fitting part 4, it then being possible for the outer bushing17 to be omitted.

In another simplified alternative form, it would be conceivable, usingthe sleeve-shaped elastic articulation element, to fix in the axialdirection the pivot with or without additional thickness to the innerbushing or to the articulation ring if the desired or required axialmobility can be obtained only by sufficient transverse movements of thearticulation ring. In this alternative form, there is no need forspecial elastic elements for defining the neutral position of the pivot.

1. A fastener for plates, comprising: an elongate pivot configured to befixed to a framework and having a free end and a hollow housingconfigured to house the free end in a moveable way; an articulationelement configured to pivotably support the elongate pivot in the hollowhousing to allow tilting movements of a longitudinal axis of theelongate pivot in the hollow housing; wherein the articulation elementincludes a one-piece spherical element of unitary construction pivotablymounted and provided with a bore by way of the hollow housing, in whichbore the free end of the elongate pivot is supported with axial slidingwith minimal radial play.
 2. The fastener as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a head guided in the bore of the articulation elementprovided at the free end of the elongate pivot.
 3. The fastener asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the head has a cylindrical lateral surface.4. The fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow housing forthe articulation element is formed of two parts of a fitting that areassembled along a parting line.
 5. The fastener as claimed in claim 1,wherein provided inside the bore of the articulation element are elasticelements configured to adjust the free end of the elongate pivot into aneutral position in an axial direction of the elongate pivot.
 6. Thefastener as claimed in claim 5, wherein the elastic elements have a formof compression springs.
 7. A fastener for plates, comprising: anelongate pivot configured to be fixed to a framework and having a freeend and a hollow housing configured to house the free end in a moveableway; an articulation element configured to pivotably support theelongate pivot in the hollow housing to allow tilting movements of alongitudinal axis of the elongate pivot in the hollow housing; whereinthe articulation element includes a one-piece spherical elementpivotably mounted and provided with a bore by way of the hollow housing,in which bore the free end of the elongate pivot is supported with axialsliding with minimal radial play, wherein provided inside the bore ofthe articulation element are elastic elements configured to adjust thefree end of the elongate pivot into a neutral position in an axialdirection of the elongate pivot, wherein the elastic elements arearranged one on each side of an end head of the elongate pivot and eachelastic element bears against the end head at a first side.
 8. Thefastener as claimed in claim 7, wherein second sides of the elasticelements bear, in a case of one of the elastic elements, against aclosed end of the hollow housing and, in a case of another elasticelement, against an annular shoulder surrounding the elongate pivot. 9.The fastener as claimed in claim 7, wherein second sides of the elasticelements bear against an inside of the bore.
 10. A fastener for plates,comprising: an elongate pivot configured to be fixed to a framework andhaving a free end and a hollow housing configured to house the free endin a moveable way; an articulation element configured to pivotablysupport the elongate pivot in the hollow housing to allow tiltingmovements of a longitudinal axis of the elongate pivot in the hollowhousing; the articulation element includes a sleeve element with atleast one elastically deformable component and an internal sleeve, inwhich the free end of the elongate pivot can be moved axially withminimal radial clearance and can be guided in pivoting with elasticdeformation of the elastically deformable component, wherein the atleast one elastically deformable component joins the sleeve element tothe internal sleeve by bonding or vulcanization.
 11. The fastener asclaimed in claim 10, further comprising a head guided in a bore of thearticulation element provided at the free end of the elongate pivot. 12.The fastener as claimed in claim 11, wherein the head has a cylindricallateral surface.
 13. The fastener as claimed in claim 10, wherein thehollow housing for the articulation element is formed of two parts of afitting that are assembled along a parting line.
 14. The fastener asclaimed in claim 10, wherein provided inside a bore of the articulationelement are elastic elements configured to adjust the free end of theelongate pivot into a neutral position in an axial direction of theelongate pivot.
 15. The fastener as claimed in claim 14, wherein theelastic elements have a form of compression springs.
 16. A fastener forelates, comprising: an elongate pivot configured to be fixed to aframework and having a free end and a hollow housing configured to housethe free end in a moveable way; an articulation element configured topivotably support the elongate pivot in the hollow housing to allowtilting movements of a longitudinal axis of the elongate pivot in thehollow housing; the articulation element includes a sleeve element withat least one elastically deformable component and an internal sleeve, inwhich the free end of the elongate pivot can be moved axially withminimal radial clearance and can be guided in pivoting with elasticdeformation of the elastically deformable component, wherein the atleast one elastically deformable component joins the sleeve element tothe internal sleeve, wherein provided inside a bore of the articulationelement are elastic elements configured to adjust the free end of theelongate pivot into a neutral position in an axial direction of theelongate pivot, wherein the elastic elements are arranged one on eachside of an end head of the elongate pivot and each elastic element bearsagainst the end head at a first side.
 17. The fastener as claimed inclaim 16, wherein second sides of the elastic elements bear, in a caseof one of the elastic elements, against a closed end of the hollowhousing and, in a case of another elastic element, against an annularshoulder surrounding the elongate pivot.
 18. The fastener as claimed inclaim 16, wherein second sides of the elastic elements bear against aninside of the bore.
 19. A fastener for plates, comprising: an elongatepivot configured to be fixed to a framework and having a free end and ahollow housing configured to house the free end in a moveable way; anarticulation element configured to pivotably support the elongate pivotin the hollow housing to allow tilting movements of a longitudinal axisof the elongate pivot in the hollow housing; wherein the articulationelement includes a sleeve element with at least one elasticallydeformable articulation ring configured to allow the elongate pivot totilt with respect to the hollow housing, which surrounds the free end ofthe elongate pivot, and contacts the housing.
 20. The fastener asclaimed in claim 19, wherein the articulation ring of the sleeve elementallows the free end of the elongate pivot limited axial mobility becauseof the articulation ring's sufficient capacity for shear.
 21. A systemcomprising a plate having at least one hole and a fastener as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the fastener is mounted within the at least one hole ofthe plate.
 22. A building comprising a glazing including the system asclaimed in claim
 21. 23. A system comprising a plate having at least onehole and a fastener as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fastener ismounted within the at least one hole of the plate.
 24. A buildingcomprising a glazing including the system as claimed in claim
 23. 25. Asystem comprising a plate having at least one hole and a fastener asclaimed in claim 19, wherein the fastener is mounted within the at leastone hole of the plate.
 26. A building comprising a glazing including thesystem as claimed in claim
 25. 27. A fastener for plates, comprising: anelongate pivot configured to be fixed to a framework and having a freeend and a hollow housing configured to house the free end in a moveableway; an articulation element configured to pivotably support theelongate pivot in the hollow housing to allow tilting movements of alongitudinal axis of the elongate pivot in the hollow housing; thearticulation element includes a cylindrical sleeve element with at leastone elastically deformable component and an internal sleeve providedtherein, in which the free end of the elongate pivot can be movedaxially with minimal radial clearance and can be guided in pivoting withelastic deformation of the elastically deformable component, wherein thecylindrical sleeve element and the internal sleeve are provided asconcentric outer and inner bushings, respectively.
 28. A fastener forplates, comprising: an elongate pivot configured to be fixed to aframework and having a free end and a hollow housing configured to housethe free end in a moveable way; an articulation element configured topivotably support the elongate pivot in the hollow housing to allowtilting movements of a longitudinal axis of the elongate pivot in thehollow housing; wherein the articulation element includes a sphericalelement pivotably mounted and provided with a bore by way of the hollowhousing, in which bore the free end of the elongate pivot is supportedwith axial sliding with minimal radial play, wherein provided inside thebore of the articulation element are elastic elements configured toadjust the free end of the elongate pivot into a neutral position in anaxial direction of the elongate pivot, and wherein the elastic elementsare arranged one on each side of an end head of the elongate pivot andeach elastic element bears against the end head at a first side.
 29. Thefastener as claimed in claim 28, wherein second sides of the elasticelements bear, in a case of one of the elastic elements, against aclosed end of the hollow housing and, in a case of another elasticelement, against an annular shoulder surrounding the elongate pivot. 30.The fastener as claimed in claim 28, wherein second sides of the elasticelements bear against an inside of the bore.
 31. A fastener for plates,comprising: an elongate pivot configured to be fixed to a framework andhaving a free end and a hollow housing configured to house the free endin a moveable way; an articulation element configured to pivotablysupport the elongate pivot in the hollow housing to allow tiltingmovements of a longitudinal axis of the elongate pivot in the hollowhousing; wherein the articulation element includes a sleeve element withat least one elastically deformable component and an internal sleeve, inwhich the free end of the elongate pivot can be moved axially withminimal radial clearance and can be guided in pivoting with elasticdeformation of the elastically deformable component, wherein providedinside a bore of the articulation element are elastic elementsconfigured to adjust the free end of the elongate pivot into a neutralposition in an axial direction of the elongate pivot, and wherein theelastic elements are arranged one on each side of an end head of theelongate pivot and each elastic element bears against the end head at afirst side.
 32. The fastener as claimed in claim 31, wherein secondsides of the elastic elements bear, in a case of one of the elasticelements, against a closed end of the hollow housing and, in a case ofanother elastic element, against an annular shoulder surrounding theelongate pivot.
 33. The fastener as claimed in claim 31, wherein secondsides of the elastic elements bear against an inside of the bore.